At Trans World annual convention in Saratgoga Springs N.Y. last month, chairman and CEO Bob Higgins said that after spending the last few years executing a turn around that saw the chain to profitability last year, now it can spend some time improving in-store merchandising.

Higgins conceded that the look of the company's stores, which includes more than 350 retail outlets including the f.y.e. chain, needs to be updated -- especially its in-store sampling system. "We will update LVS [listening-viewer stations], no doubt about it," Higgins said. "It is still heavily used but it has outlived its life. We know that. we can upgrade it so that we can provide something that it doesn't offer today."

From left: Sony Music executive VP of sales Darren Stupak, Island Def Jam and Universal Republic senior VP of sales Wayne Chernin; and RED president Bob Morelli lament that Trans World didn't do their annual boat ride on Lake George at this year¹s convention. (Photo: Ed Christman)

RED¹s senior executives Morelli (left) and RED executive VP/GM Tony Bruno (far right) congratulate RED staffersmarketing manager Marissa Putney (white top) and VP of field sales and marketing Mary Ashley Johnsonfor being named by Trans World as the top music sales team servicing the chain. (Photo: Ed Christman)

Others recognized at the convention, included: Republic Records, wich was named the label group of the year, while Sony Music Entertainment won music vendor of the year honors. In a video, Keith Wood of Magnolia picked up the salesperson award while Colleen Petruzzi of NBC Universal was names studio salesperson of the year; HBO was named topped video vendor and Lionsgate was named top studio.